Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
Individuals who experienced depression during pregnancy were more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease within two years after giving birth. The study found a significant higher risk of developing six major cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure and ischemic heart disease.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that individuals with a family history of depression exhibit reduced cognitive abilities. The research highlights the potential impact of genetic and environmental factors on brain development and aging, as well as modifiable lifestyle factors.
Effective management of depression through psychological therapy is associated with a lower likelihood of heart disease and stroke. Patients who improved their depression symptoms after therapy had a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, especially among those aged 45-60.
Researchers found that people whose depression symptoms improved after psychological treatment had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease over three years. The association was strongest in younger adults and suggested that accessing psychological therapy could have long-term physical health benefits.
Patients with depression before or after a breast cancer diagnosis have lower survival rates compared to those without depression. Diagnosing and treating depression at the time of breast cancer diagnosis and beyond is crucial for improved patient care and survival.
West Virginia University is launching an innovative in-school mental health program to address a critical provider shortage and youth mental health crisis. The program, called the Mountaineer School-Based Mental Health Fellows Program, will place six advanced counseling graduate students in Harrison County schools each year.
Despite the decline in most services, FQHCs reported an increase in patient visits for substance use disorder, depression, anxiety, and sexually transmitted infections. Quality-of-care measures also plummeted, with only one measure returning to pre-pandemic levels.
A nationwide study found that poor family cohesion among bereaved youth is strongly associated with negative psychological effects years after the loss. The research highlights the importance of supporting families during parental illness and immediately after the loss to improve long-term health and well-being.
A pilot study at the University of Eastern Finland found metabolites related to oxidative stress and transsulfuration to be associated with a history of sexual or physical abuse in depressed adolescent outpatients. The study's findings suggest that further research into the biological mechanisms underlying trauma is needed.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo used artificial intelligence and Twitter to develop a database and models that can detect depression and anxiety before clinical diagnosis. The study found that BERT performed best in predicting depression and anxiety, with a statistically significant difference from LogReg.
Psychiatrists at Indiana University School of Medicine found deaths by suicide increased during the week of a full moon, especially in people over age 55. They also identified 3-4 p.m. and September as peak times for suicides.
A team of scientists at MUSC identified a key gene that plays a role in the link between long-term stress and a common type of depressive behavior in mice. The study suggests that there may not be one central mechanism by which stress causes depression, but rather multiple pathways connecting stress with different symptoms.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that phototherapy improved cognitive function in patients with dementia. The analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials revealed no significant impact on symptoms of depression or sleep quality.
A comprehensive study found that individuals who maintained their drinking habits during the pandemic had lower prevalence of mental health issues compared to those who abstained or experienced changes. The research also identified groups with stronger associations between alcohol consumption and mental health outcomes.
The April issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry features studies on mood disorders, psychotic disorders, autism, and stress-related disorders. A special issue of The American Journal of Psychotherapy honors the work of Otto F. Kernberg, M.D.
A nationwide study in Denmark found that people living with HIV are at double the risk of depression and treatment with electroconvulsive therapy compared to controls. Siblings of PLWH also face an increased risk of depression, use of antidepressants, and suicide, but lower than for PLWH.
A new study finds that Latinx students experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a risk of 1.5 to 2 times more likely than their peers. The study highlights the need for practical and efficacious programs to address the mental health needs of adolescents in school settings.
Scientists have found that glycine, an amino acid, can deliver a 'slow-down' signal to the brain, influencing major depression and anxiety in some people. The discovery improves understanding of the biological causes of major depression and could lead to new, faster-acting medications.
Researchers have identified a common amino acid, glycine, as a potential trigger for major depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. The discovery improves understanding of the biological causes of major depression and could accelerate efforts to develop new medications.
A new method using brain signal processing has been developed to categorize different types of depression. The study achieved a 91% accuracy rate in detecting anxious and non-anxious depression, showing promise for improved diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have found that depression and anxiety sufferers who experienced traumatic childhoods tend to grow up as angry adults. The severity of childhood trauma is also correlated with the level of adult anger, with emotional neglect increasing irritability and physical abuse leading to anger attacks or antisocial personality traits.
A new national study finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are twice as likely to report trouble falling or staying asleep than their straight peers. This is attributed to greater depression, stress, and family conflict among LGB youth, which can make it harder for them to get a good night's sleep.
A study from Karolinska Institutet found that melatonin prescription was associated with a lower risk of self-harm in young people with psychiatric disorders, particularly adolescent girls. The risk of self-harm increased before treatment initiation and decreased afterwards.
Researchers found that older adults with depression exhibit accelerated biological aging, poor physical and brain health, and worse cardiovascular health. This association suggests opportunities for preventive strategies to reduce disability associated with major depression in older adults.
New research highlights poor level of financial and health support provided by national governments for citizens stranded abroad. The study found alarming rates of depression, anxiety, and homelessness among those separated from family or facing flight cancellations.
A study of over 270,000 individuals found that sex-specific genetic variants are linked to depression in females, but not males. Researchers discovered 11 areas of DNA associated with depression in females, highlighting the importance of sex-specific treatments for women with depression.
Researchers collected electrophysiological recordings from prefrontal cortical regions in three human subjects with severe treatment-resistant depression. They found lower depression severity correlated with decreased low-frequency neural activity and increased high-frequency activity.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that exercise was well-tolerated by patients with mental or physical illness and resulted in decreased suicide attempts. The research debunks the myth that these individuals are not motivated to participate in physical exercise regimes.
Researchers found that Matcha tea powder reduces depression in mice by activating dopaminergic neural circuits and improving mood. The study's results suggest that Matcha's antidepressant-like effects depend on the animal's prior mental state, with stress-susceptible mice showing a significant response.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) can improve daily functioning and reduce perceived pain among patients with chronic low back pain. Statistically significant improvements were observed in domains such as sleep, reaching, and bending forward.
A new study finds that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), lithium, and clozapine may reduce suicide rates in adolescent men with severe mental illness. The study suggests that early intervention with medico-psychiatric treatment can lower suicide rates among late-teenage boys.
Researchers found that maternal autonomy support positively predicts adolescents' basic psychological needs satisfaction, while adolescent-reported controlling parenting negatively predicts depressive symptoms. The study highlights the importance of understanding the relative impact of parents' and adolescents' perceptions on mental he...
A study found that telemedicine visits did not adversely affect the quality of care for patients with major depression, and even improved some aspects of care. The transition to virtual visits also led to increased adherence to measurement-based care practices.
Researchers at University of Galway discovered that individuals experiencing depression symptoms are more likely to suffer acute strokes and experience poor recovery outcomes. The INTERSTROKE study, involving 26,877 adults across 32 countries, revealed a significant link between depressive symptoms and stroke risk.
Researchers say parents' well-intentioned efforts to protect children from harm have inadvertently deprived them of independence and opportunities for self-directed play. This decline in 'child's play' is linked to rising anxiety, depression, and suicide rates among school-aged children.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with symptoms of depression may be at increased risk of having a stroke. The study also discovered that individuals with depressive symptoms were more likely to experience worse recovery outcomes after a stroke.
A study from Swansea University found that reducing social media use by 15 minutes a day can significantly improve physical health and psychological well-being. The results showed a 15% improvement in immune function, 50% improvement in sleep quality, and 30% fewer depressive symptoms.
A new Edith Cowan University study found that individuals with fear-based motives are more likely to experience emotion regulation difficulties, leading to depression and anxiety. Understanding underlying motives is crucial for protecting mental health.
A study found that Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced stress-related burnout symptoms, such as somatization, depression, and anxiety, in healthcare workers. The technique showed rapid improvements, with mean reductions in anxiety of 62% and emotional exhaustion of 40%, compared to a control group.
Researchers in China find that a leucine deficient diet has antidepressant effects on chronic restraint stress-induced depression-related behaviors, mediated by hypothalamic AgRP neurons and GCN2 signal. This study provides a new perspective for exploring the relation of nutrition, hypothalamus, and depression.
Researchers will use data from New IDEAS study to enroll a representative population of patients with memory impairment and their family members. The goal is to better understand the psychological impact of receiving biomarker-informed diagnoses and inform best practices in diagnostic evaluation.
A new multicenter study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that adding the drug aripiprazole (Abilify) to an antidepressant improves treatment outcomes for older adults with clinical depression that has not responded to standard treatments. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, sho...
The March issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services focus on major depression treatment advances and suicide risk screening for Indigenous populations. Journalists can access the publications by emailing press@psych.org.
Researchers discovered that administration of GDF11 improves cognitive abilities and reduces depression-like behaviors in aged mice. In humans, low levels of GDF11 are associated with depressive episodes, suggesting a potential link between the protein and mood disorders.
Researchers discovered that telomere shortening is associated with early subjective depressive symptoms and cognitive complaints among healthy elderly individuals. The study also found a link between telomere shortening and increased interleukin-6 levels.
A new Australian study found that assistance dogs used in conjunction with traditional therapies provide the most effective treatment outcomes for defence veterans' mental health. Almost 90% of veterans reported improvements in post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety after being matched with an assistance dog.
Researchers found reduced brain oxygen levels in individuals with symptomatic COVID-19 illness, worse performance on cognitive tests, and increased psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety. Older women were more affected by the brain imaging outcomes.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
Researchers found that loneliness is a major risk for mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth, with stigma, self-isolation, and emotional disconnection contributing factors.
A new study published by researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin found a significant link between early childhood trauma experienced by mothers and various health problems in their children. The research analyzed data from over 4,300 American mothers and their children, revealing that children of mothers with adverse experi...
A Rutgers study found no statistically significant improvements in patient or caregiver anxiety, depression, or psychological distress in palliative care interventions. The researchers identified conceptual and methodological problems in the literature, including excluding patients with existing mental health conditions from studies.
Researchers found that individuals who scored high on questionnaires assessing mystical and insightful nature of their psychedelic experiences reported improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms. A challenging experience while on these substances was also beneficial, especially in the context of mystical and insightful experiences.
Researchers found altered proteins in women's blood during the third trimester, correlating with brain signaling activity and pro-inflammatory pathways. The study aims to develop early diagnosis and treatment protocols for perinatal mood disorders.
A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or medications in managing depression. The review of 97 reviews and 1039 trials shows that exercise interventions, especially those lasting 12 weeks or less, can significantly reduce mental health ...
A new study found that LGBTQ+ school clubs, particularly those with strong advocacy efforts, can reduce disparities in depressive symptoms between LGBQ+ and heterosexual students. The study suggests that GSA-led advocacy activities can promote well-being among LGBTQ+ youth across the wider school population.
Researchers have found that brexanolone works by inhibiting systemic inflammatory pathways associated with depression. The study suggests that inflammation may contribute to the development of post-partum depression.
Researchers at UC Davis found that engaging serotonin 2A receptors inside neurons promotes growth of new connections, while the same receptors on cell surfaces do not. This discovery guides efforts to develop new treatments for depression and PTSD.
A new study from Lund University suggests that allowing patients to describe their mental health in free language can provide more precise diagnoses than traditional rating scales. The AI-tool, developed by researchers, enables doctors to analyze patients' answers and provides individualized care.
Participants with high extraversion, agreeableness, and openness scored higher on face focus; those with social anxiety, depression, and alexithymia focused less. Face preferences are linked to both personality and psychopathology levels, with 17% of viewing time spent on faces.
A team of scientists has created an implantable microsensor that can measure serotonin levels in the brain in real-time without deactivation. This breakthrough could improve diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. The sensor uses galvanic redox potentiometry to detect serotonin concentrations over a broad range.